Nonplugging coupling for rotary drills



Feb- 24, 1 3 B. E. PARRISH ET AL NONPLUGGING COUPLING FOR ROTARY DRILLS Filed Sept. 24, 1927 V lliHEf: 3 20 L L 25 h e I 12:7 your ATTORNEY XNVENTOR 5 567/0/77/17 ar-rush Patented Feb. 24, 1931 QNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IBENJ'AMIN E. PARR ISH, OF SAN LUIS POTOSI, AND FRANK BAQULET, F TAMPS, MEXICO N ONPLUGGIN G CGUELIIIG FOR ROTARY DBILLS.

Application filed September 24, 1927. Serial No. 221,691.

This invention is an improvement in nonplugging bits or tools, and more particularly in a device of the class mentioned especially designed for deep well drilling.

In the usual constructionof tools, apassage is provided extending longitudinally thereof, for conducting water to the bottom of the well, to convert into a fluent mixture, the cuttings of the drill, to prevent blocking of the drill by said cuttings.

lVater or other fluid is driven through the passage, as for instance by a pump, and regurgitation is prevented by a check valve arranged at a suitable point in the passage,

usually in the coupling, and it passes up around the drill, the operation of the drill providing a churning action, which hinders and prevents settling of the cuttings about the cutting end of the drill.

Because of the large content of cuttings there is great liability to blocking of the passage, particularly at the check valve, and especially if there is any change in directi-on of the fluid at this point.

In order to insure a maximum circulation, it is desirable that there be a minimum of friction in the passage of the fluid, that is that the passage be as nearly straight as possible.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a construction of coupling, wherein the passage for the fluid ofiers a minimum of friction, and of waste space for the collection of sediment.

Another object is the provision of a valve which in itself offers but little resistance to the passage of the fluid, andwhich is reversible, in order to provide for double wear.

Another object is the provision of a construction of valve wherein the working parts are easily accessible for removal and repair.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts fully described hereinafter, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that vari ous changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without Fig.1 is a longitudinal section of departing from the spiritof the invention.

In the drawings forming apart hereof an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and i are views similar to Fig. 1 of other embodiments of the invention.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the improvement is shown in connection with a coupling, comprising a body 1, of substantially cylindrical shape, having at one end a tapering internally threaded socket or box 2, and at the other an externally threaded pi1i3 shaped to fitthe box 2. By means of the box and the pin, the couplingis adapted to 0011-. nect two parts of the string of tools, the pin engaging the box of one part, and the box receiving the pin of another part. i

The coupling is provided at the pin end with an axial passage e, which divides, in the pin, into a pair of similar passages 5 extend ing longitudinally of the tool, and opening into the box. By means of these passages 45, a circulation of fluid, as for instance water, may be maintained through the drill or other tool to the bottom of the well, it being understood that the! drill or other tool is provided with passages registering with the ppssages 5, and forming continuations there- 0 i In the present construction a valve is arranged at the connection between the passage 4 and the passages 5. This valve comprises a body 6 of substantially cylindrical formation, having a conical or tapering extension 7 at each end, the said ends being similar, and one of the ends is adapted to engage the open end 8, of a tubular valve seat 9, threaded into the passage 4. "The other conical end of the valve is engaged by a spring to be described, normally holding the valve to its seat.

Thatportion of the coupling body between the passages 5, and their connection with the passage 4, is recessed as shown at 10, to form a species of socket, for receiving one end of the spring 11, arranged in the socket, between the valve and the bottom of the socket. As shown the spring is helical, one end fitting about the tapered or conical end of the valve 6, thus assisting in centering the valve. In

In operation, the Valve enables free flow of the fluid from the passage 4; to the passages .5,

but acts as a check to prevent regurgitation thereof. It is accessible for any purpose, merely by unthreadingthe seat 8, which is internally polygonal in cross section, for engagement by a suitable tool. Either end of the improved valve is designed to cooperate with the seat, and in case of wear, or for any other reason, the valve may be turned, thus providina fresh engaging surface.

1 The va ve prevents blocking of the passage ethrough sand and the likepassing'upward through the passages .5 into the said passage,

Should this occur, circulation of the liquidcould not be had, and it would then be necessary to pull the drill stem to wash out the formationpackedinto the stem above the bit. Without a; valve, either when working or when idle,the plugging of the passages 4 and 5 is liable to occur, I

. t will be obvious that-the improved valve is arranged as shown in Fig. 1, only when the f 7 pin of the coupling is to be upward. If the pinofthe coupling is to be downward, the

par-ts will be arranged as shown in Fig. 3.

In. this construction, the valve indicated at 1'3 and similar to the valve 6, cooperates with aseat 14 0f tubular shape, threaded into an opening'in the body of the coupling 15 just below the' b'ox 16. The seatis internally polygonal in cross section, to facilitate removal thereof, thereby to enable access to the valve.

The valve-isheld to its seat by a spring 17, similar to thespringcll, and similarly arranged, The spring is held in a socket 18 at the axis of the body of the coupling, and the socket has the vent openings, not shown, corrspending to the openings 12 of Fig. 1. The operation in thepresent arrangement is precisely the same as that of'Figl, the valve acting to prevent upward flow of the liquid, and to prevent the entrance of sand and the like into the passages above the coupling.

In Fig.4, a construction of coupling is shown, adapted for use with either end upward. In this arrangement the coupling 19 has the pin 20 at one end, and the boX 21 at the other. seat 22 'has threaded engagement with the upper end of the axial opening in the pin, and a valve 24 cooperateswith the seat, the valve'being. held to, the seat by a spring 25, one end; of which rests within the socket 26. Theseparts correspond with the similar parts of Fig. 1, and the operation is the same when the pin is up. 7

At the lower end a seat 27 is threaded into an axial opening in the body just above the box 21. A valve 28 cooperates withthe seat, and ahelical spring 29 normally pressesjthe valve to the seat. The construction at this 25 are '-reinoved.- In either'case the flow.

of the fluid must be downward, and any regurgitation thereof is prevented, The improved coupling may be used in any part of the string ofstools, but a preferable location 'is near the bottom of the string, as for instance between the bit and the drill stein. In this location the maximum amount'of" passage through the string is protected against the entrance of foreign matter, whether from heaving when idle, or from cuttings when at work.

What is claimed as new is 1.. A couplinghaving at one end a tapering box and at the other a tapering pin shaped tothe seat, said valve substantially cylindriy cal and'ha'ving similar conical ends, one to engage the seat and the other to be engaged by the spring to center the'valve.

2. A tool of the class described, provided at one end with a pin and at the other with a box, and having a longitudinally extended passage, the'pin end being reamed to provide an opening for a valve seat and a socket of reduced diameter beyond the seat, said passage opening into the reamed part between the opening and the socket, a seat detachably engaged with the tool in the opening, a'valv'e cooperating with the seat, and a spring in the socket normally holding the valve to its seat.

Signed at the American Consulate in Tampico, MeXico, and State of Tamaulipas, this 9th day of September. A.. D. 1927.

, BENJAMIN E. PARRISI-i.

' F RANK BAQUET. 

